Reynaers Aluminium UK has secured a major low-carbon commercial retrofit project in central London, supplying its ConceptWall 50 (CW 50) curtain walling system for the transformation of St Magnus House, a prominent 1970s office block designed by architect Richard Seifert and located on the north bank of the River Thames.

The nine-storey building is being reimagined as a contemporary workplace destination, reflecting the growing demand for sustainable urban retrofit projects across the UK commercial sector. A core requirement of the redevelopment was to significantly improve the building’s environmental performance while preserving its strategic riverside location and architectural identity. As a result, Reynaers’ low-carbon aluminium CW 50 system was selected to replace the existing concrete brutalist façade, helping create brighter, energy-efficient spaces with improved daylight access.

Working alongside architect Buckley Grey Yeoman (BYG), contractor Mace Construct Ltd appointed long-time Reynaers partner Century Facades, with Aluminium and Glass Facades (AGF) supporting the façade delivery. The project will see the building renamed Fresh Wharf, reflecting its repositioning as a modern, sustainability-focused commercial hub.

The CW 50 system was chosen for its combination of design flexibility, recyclability and high thermal performance. Featuring a slim 50 mm sightline and the capability to support glazing units weighing up to 700 kg, the system enables large glass surfaces that maximise natural light and provide uninterrupted views towards key London landmarks, including Tower Bridge and The Shard. Reynaers also emphasises the product’s compatibility with green technologies and its ease of fabrication and installation, helping reduce construction complexity and overall carbon impact.

Scheduled for practical completion in mid-2026, the redevelopment will deliver approximately 70,000 sq ft of Grade-A office space, around 5,000 sq ft of retail, a riverside restaurant, a first-floor podium terrace and a rooftop garden aimed at enhancing occupant wellbeing.

Once completed, the new high-performance façade is expected to reduce energy consumption and long-term carbon emissions, positioning Fresh Wharf as a strong example of circular design principles applied to large-scale commercial retrofit in London’s competitive office market.